The Day Before the Big Day...

The Day before the Big Day was sunny and lovely and as we set off for the stunning setting of Loch Lomond we prayed that tomorrow would also be lovely.  Actually we would settle for dry!  It would be such a shame if after all the planning and dreaming and hard work put into organising the wedding, Andrew and Nikki's outdoor marriage ceremony with Ben Lomond as their backdrop couldn't go ahead outdoors.

We arrived at our lodge just after 4pm.  Quickly unpacked and sat on the decking with a G&T.  Bride Nikki and flower girl Esme joined us a short time later.  Esme was hyper!  Andrew is staying at home tonight and he will arrive tomorrow morning with his Dad and Best Man to get ready in the Honeymoon Lodge.

Nikki and Esme headed off to get into their lodge and friends Alan and Gail arrived. They've also hired a lodge for three nights.  Their children Stewart and Laura, and Laura's husband George were arriving later.  Gail has asked me to re-create a photo of her two children and Andrew and Jennifer and Alan, that was taken on one of our family holidays in France many years ago.  I really hope Alan comes to the evening reception (the full day would have been too much for him but he said he was keen to come for the dancing :-)) so I can do that.

Ele (D's sister and mother of the groom)and Jen (our niece and sister of the groom and bridesmaid) also arrived.

Once everyone was unpacked they came back to our lodge including Nikki's mum Avis, Nikki's brother Stephen and his little boy Cooper (page boy ) and his girlfriend Michelle, and we had a pot luck dinner, with everything bringing a dish to the buffet.  Turned into a bit of a feast with lasagne, chicken paprika, pizza, greek salad, Enchiladas, Continental meats, pate, fruit....all delicious.

Ele had bought paper plates and wooden cutlery so the clear up was easy.  Everyone pitched in and the place was spotless again by 10pm.  

Given the Big Day tomorrow, everyone was very chilled.  Think we were all glad the day we've looked forward to for so long is almost here.  Everyone had returned to their respective lodges by 10pm.  I was shattered so was in bed by 10.30pm and asleep not much later than that!  What a comfy bed!

One more sleep!!! :-)